The Chao Phraya River is one of Thailand’s must-see sites. Chao Phraya River passes through Bangkok and finally flows into the Gulf of Thailand. One of the amazing activities that might help you explore Bangkok better is visiting the city and riding a boat on this river. This river is the most prominent feature of Bangkok.
This beautiful river, also known as the King’s River, is a stream in Thailand. The Chao Phraya River is among the major transit hubs in the city, and many people reside along its banks. Some individuals use this river to get to work, while for others, it is a source of revenue.
An Introduction of Chao Phraya River
Because the area around the Chao Phraya River has good farmland and an abundance of fish, foreign immigrants settled there in the past. After the fall of the Ayutthaya dynasty in Thailand at the hands of the Burmese kings in 1767, they chose the western part of this river as their capital, which was later named Thonburi. With the end of Thaksin’s rule in 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke placed his capital on the east part of the Chao Phraya River and present-day Bangkok and was given the ceremonial name of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, meaning the City of Angels. By his order, Bangkok was officially chosen as the capital of Thailand on April 21, 1782.
This river is one of the best tourist attractions in Thailand, located in the heart of Bangkok. Cargo ships move their cargo this way, and children play in its cold waters. Wooden pavilions can also be seen around it.
Attractions around the Chao Phraya River
There are five berths in this river, and Chaopraya Boating Company has all of them equipped with boats that are available to take people every day from 6:00 to 19:30. Along Phra Athit Road, which runs next to the Chao Phraya River, are a variety of shops, pleasant cafés, and eateries with live music.
There are four types of express boats that you can ride. The ticket price is between 10 and 40 baht (Thai currency), which is very cheap compared to the public transportation in the city.
Tourists can also choose the tourist boat, which costs 150 baht, or about 4 dollars, and gets on this boat and visit eight beautiful piers. You can get on and off at these eight piers.
There is another ship that is a little more expensive, and that is the cruise ship, where you have dinner on board and cruise the river. You cannot board and disembark on this ship. Most of these ships leave at 6:00 p.m. and stay in the river for a few hours.
The prices vary depending on the companies, but the prices start from 1400 baht, which is about 40 dollars. You can experience a dreamy night on a Cruise ship, and having fun on this river is among the most beautiful and attractive fun you can have in the capital of Thailand.
Sightseeing Places around Chao Phraya River
There are several notable sights along the Chao Phraya River. Staying on the riverfront is a lovely place to stay when visiting Bangkok, and going by canoe is one of the best ways to explore the city. Here are some of the thing’s visitors may do along the river.
First, Asiatique the Riverfront is the luxury mall that most people select since it is located near the Chao Phraya River. Tourists may easily obtain fantastic views of Bangkok from the Sky Wheel located here. Every day from 16:00 to 23:30, free boats sail from Sathorn Central Pier. From Monday through Sunday, Asiatique is open daily from 5:00 evening until 12:00 a.m.
Second, travelers should stop at Holy Rosary Church, which Portuguese mariners constructed in 1787. In Thailand, Wat Kalawan is the name of the actual Roman Catholic Church. The River City Shopping Mall is one unique feature along the river, and it is here that you may see the fabled shark of Bangkok.
In addition, there are a lot of stunning boutique hotels along the rivers, including Loy La Long, interesting markets to visit, like Pak Khlong Talat and Khlong San, and plenty of places, like Jack’s Bar, to have a cheap drink while watching the sunset. For example, Striking Saphan Phut (Memorial Bridge) symbolizes the union of the two sides of the river, even if each bridge has its unique history.
How to get there
The Chao Phraya Express Boat river ferry network allows people to continue cruising along the Chao Phraya River despite contemporary transit innovations like canals. The three primary services are the orange, green, and yellow-flagged Express Boats, another no-flag “local line,” and the blue-flagged Chao Phraya Tourist Boat. All of these services make a stop at the Sathorn pier, which is close to the Saphan Taksin station on the Silom line of the BTS Skytrain.
With a flat charge of 15 Thai baht (£0.35), the orange-flagged route is the most convenient route. The most well-known river piers are Phra Athit (for Banglamphu and Khao San Road), Yodpiman River Walk (for Pak Khlong Talat flower market), Ratchawong (for Chinatown), Tha Tien (for Wat Pho), Tha Chang (for the Grand Palace), and Wat Arun (for the Temple of Dawn).
The super-express service of the blue-flagged tourist vessel, which makes fewer but more sought-after dock stops, is more costly. Additionally, it provides onboard commentary in English. A single trip will cost 50 Baht, while a day-long hop-on-hop-off pass would set you back 180 Baht.
The unflagged local boat, whose fee is determined by the distance traveled, is the cheapest option if you want to stop at one of the less-frequented piers. However, be aware that they only operate during peak hours.